A 35-metre field goal in extra-time from Kiama Knights halfback Brady Oliver helped his side secure the 2018 Group Seven reserve grade premiership, as they toughed out a thrilling 18-17 grand final victory over an excellent Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles side at Collegians Sporting Complex on Sunday.
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In an amazing and exciting game of rugby league, the scores were tied on four separate occasions.
The Eagles started the better of the two teams, as Callum Azzopardi pounced on a perfectly executed grubber kick by Scott Austin inside the Knights 20 metre zone.
Albion Park led 4-nil.
Both sides were prone to coughing up possession but towards the close of the first half, the Knights started to improve their execution with the football.
Knights centre Tyson Cloos received an excellent cut out ball for his effort, which locked the scores up at 4-all.
The Eagles poached the lead back thanks to their hard work in defence, when Kyle Williams muscled his way over the white chalk.
Chad Harrison converted as Albion Park led 10-4 at the break.
Kiama managed to square the match up again at 10-all, as Brady Oliver's bomb caused headaches for the Eagles back three – which Cloos made the most of, pouncing on to score his second of the afternoon.
With 12 minutes left in the game, Brady Oliver slotted a crucial field goal 15 metres out, which gave his side an 11-10 lead.
Albion Park then worked their way into enemy territory as Scott Austin landed field goal 20 metres out, locking the scores up at 11-all.
The Knights defended their own goal line well before Marc Laird, with his experience and attacking prowess, assisted Matt Cornell across the line.
Mitch Boles converted the try as Kiama led 17-11 with five minutes left.
The Eagles managed to level the match up at full-time as Brock Harrison scored of a nice left side attacking raid.
Tensions boiled over after the try was awarded by Paul Lees as Kiama's forward Peter Rhienberger and Albion Park interchange player Jake Todd were both sent-off.
Scott Austin nailed his sideline conversion and at the end of normal time both sides were locked up at 17-all.
During extra-time, Brady Oliver was cool as a cucumber under pressure when he slotted his match winning field goal, in the final minute, as Kiama ran out victors by 18-17.
Mitch Coslovich took out best on ground while Marc Laird, Brady Oliver, Alex Boles and Tyson Cloos were the standouts for the Knights.
Scott Austin, Chad Pemberton, Chad and Brock Harrison and Kyle Williams played their hearts out for the Eagles.
